Mobile Accessories Reviews

Even for Apple devotees who have nothing but praise for their iPhones, battery life is a common concern. But if the above image is something you never want to see on your iPhone again, there are ways to go about it. Plenty of iPhone accessories are designed specifically to help you extend battery life, so you can banich the red low battery symbol from your life forever.

For everyday use, an iPhone external battery case is probably your best bet. With an extra battery built right in, accessories like Incipio's offGRID line of cases combine the protection of a carrying case with a life-saving back-up battery.

Incipio offGRID Battery Case for iPhone 4 and 4S in Black

With models for both iPhone 4S and iPhone 5, the OffGRID Battery Case will double your talk, text, viewing and game time, all in a sleek and compact package that adds surprisingly little extra bulk to your phone. The offGRID for iPhone 5 even features LED lights to let you keep track of battery life.

Incipio offGRID Battery Case for iPhone 5 in White

But for longer jaunts, say, a week-long camping trip or a vacation abroad, you're probably going to need more than just double the usual battery life. And Dexim's BluePack S8 external battery will give you an additional 11 hours of talk, 21 hours of gaming or video viewing or 92 hours of music.

Dexim BluePack S8 Enhanced Battery for All Devices

Actually compatible with most other phones and devices too, Dexim's is one of the best iPhone battery extenders out there in that it can also be used to power up your iPad and iPod and features LED indicators to let you know how much juice you've got left. Oh, and it's also got a nifty little flashlight built in, so it really is a great iPhone accessory for travelers.

So, between backup battery packs and external battery cases, there's no reason you should have to worry about that horrible red battery image ever again. Because, whether it's just a typical workday, or a long trip abroad, there's an iPhone accessory that's got your battery life covered.

We're turning up the bass with today's accessory of the week. That's because Moshi's Vortex Premium In-Ear Headphones are designed to deliver fast articulate bass without any distortion. Most of us know Moshi for their high-quality carrying cases, bags, chargers, and other iPhone accessories. But these awesome little earbuds prove the company's just as good with audio.

Compatible with Android devices like Samsung's Galaxy line, BlackBerry handsets and Apple products, like iPhone, iPod and iPad, these earbud-style headphones for iPhone and more are ideal for listening via mobile phone. With an integrated mic, you can easily take or end calls without unplugging your headphones.

And taking this smartphone compatibility even further, Moshi's even developed an iOS app that'll speed up what's called the "burn-in" process. Never heard of it? Here's a quick rundown from Moshi:

"Like breaking in a new pair of leather shoes, high-quality headphones perform better once they've been used over time. This process can take several weeks or even months [...] By playing back a curated list of tones/frequencies, the Moshi Audio Burn-In Tool allows the headphone diaphragms to relax and reach their optimal level of sonic performance."

All that basically means that your headphones will reach optimal performance level much quicker.

As for the actual sound clarity, a lot has gone into the Vortex Premium Headphones. Moshi promises that the high-definition HR8 neodymium drivers housed in the headphones' steel alloy construction "vastly improves low frequency extension, but also renders silky smooth highs." So you'll get clean bass and smooth treble.

That's a whole lot of features from such a small accessory, and there's a lot more that the length of this review can't cover. But if you want details, Moshi's got a lot of in-depth information available on their website.

But, as a quick recap, these Android, BlackBerry and iPhone compatible headphones from Moshi make the grade for us because they're the total package: Slick-looking and durable steel alloy design, convenient omnidirectional mic, high-quality sound that's clear and undistorted, a nice protective carrying case, and a reasonable pricepoint.

Apple's design signature has long been about minimalism, elegance, subtlety, and bulging superhero six-packs – wait, what? Oh, we're sorry. We got distracted for a moment there by one of the craziest (silliest?) iPhone 5 accessories we've seen yet. Behold the Iron Man Mark VII iPhone 5 case from Brando.

With an April release promised, this in-your-face accessory is modeled after the Marvel comics superhero Iron Man, A.K.A. Tony Stark. To be sure, this definitely won't impress iPhone aficionados who love their devices' sleek, understated design.

Brando's Iron Man Mark VII iPhone 5 Case: the antithesis of subtlety

But it may just impress die-hard Iron Man fans. After all, its look is a pretty close imitation of the character's red and gold body armor, and it even comes with a built-in battery-powered LED arc reactor. Now that's something you definitely won't get from average iPhone cases and skins.

Though as far as iPhone cases go, it's on the low end when it comes to practicality. You've got to flip open a panel just to use the camera, and the overall design is pretty bulky and doesn't seem to have much in the way of grip.

We won't go so far as calling this fairly ridiculous case "obscene," as did Gizmodo, but we will label it as gaudy. Bulky, over-engineered, impractical and lacking in all subtlety, it goes against pretty much everything Apple strives for in designs like the iPhone 5.

However, it's more or less exactly what Tony Stark's all about. Flashy, loud and attention grabbing, it's the cell phone accessories equivalent of a spoiled, rich boy genius/self-made superhero.

Again, the Iron Man Mark VII case will only be released next month, so we can't speak to how tough this iPhone 5 accessory really is. But clad in Iron Man's armored physique, you phone will at least look strong.

For successful professionals and diligent students, it's important to look the part. And nothing says sleek and organized like an orderly folio carrying case for your iPad mini. Here, we're running through our 5 of our favorites, with some of the best iPad carrying cases from leading accessories makers like iLuv, Griffin, Incase and Moshi.

With the CEO case, professional get the protection they wat for their iPad mini, as well as everything else they need right at their fingertips. Card slots let this carrying case double as a wallet, and handy organizers, like a stylus pen holder, keep everything in its place.

It's also got a bult-in stand for propping up your iPad mini for easy viewing of documents, presentations and more.

2. Incase Nylon Folio Case

Incase Nylon Folio Case for iPad mini in Black

Simple and streamlined, Incase's Nylon Folio Case for iPad mini keeps you organized without all the clutter.

With three slip pockets for documents and more, and an internal divider that protects the screen, its folio design zips shut, protecting all sides of your iPad mini while traveling.

3. Griffin Varsity Passport

Griffin Varsity Passport for iPad mini in Blue

With bit more of a college vibe, the aptly-named Varsity Passport from Griffin is a carrying case for iPad Mini with a durable exterior and soft microsuede inner lining.

Protected from all angles, you iPad is secured in place with elastic fasteners at the corners. Meanwhile, thoughtful details, like a strategically placed camera hole, make for an over all careful and well-executed design.

4. Griffin Slim Folio Case

Griffin Slim Folio Case for iPad mini in Black

Everything you need from a folio, and nothing you don't Griffin's Sim Folio carrying case for iPad mini has an ultra-thin yet durable design, with a leather-look polyurethane finish.

It allows you to fully access all ports and controls while still offering the full coverage protection of a folio. What's more, it can fold into a landscape-oriented stand for east typing and viewing.

it's a simple and streamlined folio case that secures shut with an elastic fastener for overall protection. And it easily converts into a multiposition stand that allows viewing from multiple angles. Finally, the Concerti Case's cover features a built-in magnet assembly that makes it easy to use your iPad's auto wake/sleep function.

When it come to taking care of business folio style carrying cases for iPad are hard to beat. They look professional because they genuinely help you keep everything in order. And meanwhile, they give you full device protection while still allowing for quick an easy access. It's that simple.

OtterBox carrying cases are already widely credited as some of the world's best . Their protective Defender and Commuter cases are highly reviewed and extremely popular. But even so, the company's been promising something new since 2012 and with their latest OtterBox Armor case for iPhone 5, they've delivered.

"The OtterBox iPhone 5 Armor Series case is a reinvention of an OtterBox classic that brings protection against water, drops, dust and crushing force," says the company.

But we feel that's a mild understatement. This super-tough case can actually survive a plunge of up to 6 metres, thanks to metal latches, an o-ring seal, port covers and mesh coverings.

The new Otterbox Armor case for iPhone 5 in Black and Green

Since it was only unveiled a little over a month ago at CES, the iPhone 5 Armor case, which is also available for iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S III, is basically the newest thing on the market.

But already, it's been surrounded by great reviews calling it one of the best. PC Mag listed the Armor case for iPhone 5 in its roundup of the 20 coolest cases at CES.

OtterBox Armor Case for iPhone 5 in White and Grey

And for its part, OtterBox is calling it the toughest case ever built, adding, "This case was made with confidence. We encourage you to use it with some."

Otterbox has long been a leader in iPhone accessories, and with this latest offering, it looks as though the company intends to keep its crown. As for us, we're thrilled to have the Armor case for iPhone 5 available so early in its release, and we're pretty sure you will be too.

It's not often that you get a great deal on one of the most popular and highest rated accessories for one of the best and newest phones. But this week, the Survivor series, Griffin's leading carrying case for iPhone 5, is on super sale at Pure Mobile.

With an iPhone 5 accessory as high-rated and well-loved as this, it almost seems like an exercise in redundancy to go through a description. But for those who aren't already well acquainted with Griffin's star iPhone case, here goes:

Griffin proudly claims that the Survivor case is the most protective case they've ever built, which, for this company, is saying something. Unapologetically over-engineered, the Survivor for iPhone 5 is built to military specifications, "designed and tested to meet or exceed US Department of Defense Standard 810F."

Griffin Survivor Carrying Case for iPhone 5 in Black and Blue

With a multi-layer construction that combines shatter-proof polycarbonate with shock-absorbing silicone, the Survivor case has been tested to withstand rain, vibrations, blown sand and dust, and even a 6-foot drop onto concrete.

But this carrying case serves just as well for everyday life as it does in military-grade tests, and handy features, like a multi-position clip make it a practical and functional civilian favorite.

Griffin Survivor Case for iPhone 5 in Black and Green

And with a wide variety of colors to choose from (our sale includes models in basic black or grey, as well as color combos with red, blue, green and more), there's a stylish option for almost every taste.

And right now, we've got the Griffin Survivor for iPhone 5 priced around the $20 mark, which is probably just about the best deal you can get on an iPhone 5 accessory with this level of design and quality.

When it comes to Bluetooth headsets for phones, not all are created equal. And Plantronics' Voyager Lengend, today's mobile accessory of the week, is proof of that. Branded as "the world's smartest headset," the Voyager Legend is designed first and foremost for sound clarity and intuitive use, two areas in which it certainly excels.

And if you're still not sure, you can always check out the sound comparison clips on Plantronics' website.

But what makes a great headset isn't just top-notch sound. It should also be easy to use and uncomplicated. That's where the Voyager Legend's intelligent design features really come in.

With its Smart Call Routing feature, the headset "Intuitively directs calls to your phone or headset, pauses music for incoming calls, and allows you to automatically answer by simply placing the headset on your ear."

And with Caller Announce and Voice Command capabilities, the Voyager Legend also makes it easy to answer, end or ignore calls hands-free, which come in especially handy while driving.

Meanwhile, the headset itself is clearly built to withstand the wear and tear of everyday use, and it's even designed to protected against sweat and moisture witha nano-coating dubbed P2i technology. That means you don't have to worry about getting caught in the rain or accidentally setting your headset down on a wet surface.

And if you're the type who tends to use more than one device on a daily basis, this headset's Multipoint technology will allow you to pair and maintain connection with two different devices. That's especially nice since the Voyager Legend is compatible with most phones or tablets, from iPhone to Android devices and more.

There's at least one upside to being the passenger in someone else's car – you don't have to keep your eyes on the road. But if watching video with your iPad in you lap already sounds like a sweet deal, just how much better it could be with Griffin's Cinema Seatcase for iPad mini.

As its name suggests, this iPad case is specifically designed for a more cinematic viewing experience. With a wide adjustable strap that can be routed around a car seat headrest, the Cinema Seat in car mount lets you perfectly position your iPad mini for the best backseat viewing.

Griffin Cinema Seat Case for iPad Mini in Black

And if your chauffeur doesn't appreciate the film score or your video game sound effects, that's alright. Because, even when it's mounted, this smartly designed iPad accessory still allows full access to the headphone jack, as well as to other ports and controls.

Of course, it's the perfect iPad accessory for long car rides, but the rear strap is great for hand-held video watching too, whether you're commuting by public transportation, or just lying around the house.

But aside from being a great gadget for video junkies, the Cinema Seat is of course a Griffin product. And that means you can bet it'll be up to the standards of some of their other, top-rated carrying cases, like the Survivor and Protector.

There are lots of Apple car accessories out there, but none quite so suited to cinematic tastes as the Cinema Seat headrest mount. And any iPad mini user who who loves watching video on their tablet would gladly trade shotgun for one of these any day.

If you've got your hands on a shiny new BlackBerry Z10, you're probably going to want to protect your favorite new gadget. And Pure Mobile's deal of the day is a slim and convenient accessory for Blackberry's latest. PureGear's Kickstand and Holster for BlackBerry Z10 combines the protection and practicality of a BlackBerry holster case with the protection of a hard case and easy viewing of a kickstand.

This lightweight and durable travel case is designed like a holster, so your BlackBerry is protected while it's clipped to your belt, bag, or whatever else is handy. With the protection of a hard case, and a rubberized finish for extra grip, it allows you to slide your BlackBerry face-in, so there's no need for a screen protector either.

Puregear Kickstand and Holster for BlackBerry Z10 in Black

Then, of course, there's the kickstand feature. The stand stays seamlessly flush with the rest of the case, snapping shut securely when it's not in use. And when you do want it, it easily slides open for either horizontal or vertical viewing.

The screen on the new BlackBerry Z10 is among the best out there today, so it's the kind of phone you're definitely going to want to view media on. And an accessory with a built-in stand is just a logical choice for the latest BlackBerry, so extra points to PureGear on that score.

But what makes the Kickstand and Holster case our deal of the day is its value. Marked down in our shop to just under $20 right now, you'll get a lot from this Blackberry accessory, but at a super cheap price. Protection, practicality, portability – it's got it all. So for your buck, you probably won't find a more complete package than this.

It seems every accessories maker out there is working on accessories for iPhone 5 that boost something. There are iPhone cases with external battery to extend your battery life. And now, a new iPhone 5 carrying case from Absolute Tech may just boost your Wi-Fi.

Gizmodo reported this week on Absolute Tech's latest gadget, the Linkase, an iPhone 5 case that's supposed to help you get better Wi-Fi reception on your phone using electro magnetic waveguide (EMW) technology. For users with limited data plans, an iPhone accessory that helps lower overage costs probably sounds like a godsend.

Absolute Tech's Linkase iPhone 5 case in Blue

But Gizmodo isn't totally convinced and here's why. Though Absolute Tech's website runs through an explanation of how this EMW technology works, Gizmodo notes that this is still "a bit of a gray area that seems to border on snake oil."

However, EMW isn't the only reason Absolute Tech says the Linkase works. Rather the accessory also seems to prevent users from covering the iPhone antenna, and even includes and antenna extension. Both of these things should actually help you catch a better signal.

Though whether this iPhone carrying case can boost your Wi-Fi by 50 percent as promised is still up for debate. And at $50 a pop, taking a chance and testing out this iPhone accessory isn't exactly cheap.

As for the other aspects of the Linkase, it does seem to be a thoughtfully designed and well constructed case. WIth a multilayered design, it combines a polycarbonate backing with a raised rubber bevel and non-slip leather coating on the exterior.

With a slim design, and available in some bright colors, it's also pretty attractive (aside from the whole raised antenna thing.)

So would we recommend the Linkase? If it came from a trusted name like Griffin or Incase, we would in a heartbeat. But we're going to have to go with Gizmodo on this, and say that this is one iPhone 5 accessory that needs to be put to the test to see if it really delivers on everything it promises.